AR accused of dishonouring Chalwa pact, protested
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, June 16 2021:
Accusing the Assam Rifles authority of dishonouring the four-point agreement signed in connection with the infamous Chalwa killing, people of the Twilang area held a peaceful protest at Chalwa village on Wednesday.
It may be recalled that a father of four Mangboilal Lhouvum was shot dead by Major Alok Sathe, post commander of 44 AR, E Coy, Banglabung outpost on June 4 .
In connection with the killing, a four- point agreement was inked between the Assam Rifles authority, the state police, and civil society organisations of Kangpokpi under the aegis of Kuki Inpi, Kangpokpi district on June 5.The four points in the agreement said an investigation into the incident on the night of June 4, 2021, at Chalwa involving an alleged person (s) of 44 AR E Coy will be initiated immediately by the police; the present company of 44 AR Banglabung outpost will be removed or replaced by the same company as in Kangpokpi district headquarters at the earliest after approval from Army HQ, New Delhi; a fully functional armed police station in the area with 40 strength minimum will be set up at the earliest and the Assam Rifles will compensate for the loss of life by paying an amount of Rs 10,00,000 of which Rs 1,00,000 will be given instantly to the deceased family.
The peaceful sit-in held at Chalwa was organised under the aegis of Kuki Inpi, Twilang and KSO, Twilang.
The protesters mostly women held banners that read, "Assam Rifles honour your agreement", "Justice to (L) Mangboilal - CSO Twilang block", etc.
"We are compelled to stage this democratic protest to express our discontentment with the Assam Rifles for not honouring the agreement and it is also to convey that the Assam Rifles must honour the agreement", said Enock Kipgen, president KSO Sadar Hills.
Boinem, wife of Chalwa village chief, said, "We want justice over the gruesome killing by the Assam Rifles and the agreement must be sincerely honoured by the Assam Rifles if they truly are the friends of the hill people".
Kuki Inpi Twilang block president Kamlal Kipgen asserted that "even if we live in a remote hill area we know our rights and the Assam Rifles must respect our rights to live...we respect those who respect us".
Meanwhile, Thangminlen Kipgen, general secretary Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi district, told media persons at KSO Sadar Hills office that even after 11 days of the gruesome murder committed by the 44 Assam Rifles and the subsequent four-point agreement signed, the Assam Rifles failed to show seriousness in fulfilling the agreement and it (AR) is seemingly trying to prove that the deceased was not a civilian but a member of an underground militant group.
He further said that the victim's family and the CSOs are hurt by the manner the Assam Rifles is trying to influence the investigation by tainting the name of the deceased Mangboilal.
Thangminlen then urged the Assam Rifles to sincerely and honourably fulfil the points of agreement to regain the trust that they have lost among the people, adding that the CSOs are always ready to assist in ways they can but it would be very unfortunate and undesirable if the Assam Rifles continued to find other means to fulfil their vested agenda.
He said that the CSOs of Sadar Hills Kangpokpi reminded the state government to immediately fulfil the agreement by setting up Chalwa Police station to be manned by 40 personnel, while assuring that people of Twilang are ready to provide land and other necessities to make the police station functional within a few days.
The Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi leader also called for protection of witnesses of the Chalwa killing and the victim's family.
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